John Franklin Gilbert of Northboro, Iowa, died Saturday February 9, 2019 in Shenandoah Iowa at the age of 75. On July, 18, 1943 John was born in Shenandoah, Iowa to Orlan and Irene Gilbert. He grew up in Farragut, Iowa where he attended and graduated from Farragut Community School. Hes survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon (Michel) Gilbert; daughter, Gina Ellingson & husband Rick; son, Michel Gilbert & wife Linda: daughter, Ginger Manning & husband Jeff; and son, Shannon Gilbert & wife Jill; ten grandchildren, Beau Ellingson, Chelsea McElmeel, Carson Ellingson, Dawson Ellingson, Chris Deaton, Kyle Deaton, Kincade Gilbert, Leo Manning, Nichole Gilbert & Natalie Gilbert; and four great grandchildren. John followed his father Orlan Gilbert into the family construction business, Gilbert Construction. Gilbert Construction built many homes in southwest Iowa, including Farragut, Shenandoah, & Hamburg area and even few community projects such as the Farragut Fire Station. He married high school sweet heart Sharon Michel in 1962. They ultimately settled and spent the majority of their married lives living and raising their four children in rural Northboro, next to the Michel family farm, where Sharon still resides. When time permitted, he enjoyed golfing with family & friends, pheasant & quail hunting, rolling the dice at the casino, and being a spectator/supporter at kids and grandkids sporting events. He took pride in keeping the rural acreage lawn maintained, diligently mowing between rains to avoid any dreaded visible grass clippings, a byproduct of the yard going rogue. While never scoring his dream of a big lottery win, his lasting legacy will be the impact he had as being a stable, reliable, loving and supportive influence as a husband, father and grandfather. A celebration of life/memorial service will be held and announced by family at a later time. In lieu of flowers, family will establish memorial fund for the benefit of Johns grandchildren at Century Bank in Shenandoah, Iowa in his honor.